Vernave Medrano, a senior at Fresno’s Roosevelt High School, will compete against 30 other finalists in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Oct. 5 in New York.

Vernave, who is 17 and plans to earn a business degree at the University of Southern California, participated in a program established and led locally by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno.

He owns Vernave’s Pottery, combining his love of art and business in an enterprise he hopes will be successful enough to help pay for his education.

At Roosevelt, he is the student president and belongs to the California Scholarship Federation, IRS Business Academy, Art Club, Link Crew and Small Business Management. His recognition includes High Honor Roll, Merit List, Student of the Month and Student of the Week.

“There is nothing more rewarding than empowering young people, like Vernave, with the belief that they can make a difference in their own lives,” says Genelle Taylor, associate director of the Lyles Center.

“The Lyles Center/NFTE partnership has been exceptional in its ability to promote young entrepreneurial talent in the Central Valley,” said Dr. Timothy Stearns, executive director of the Lyles Center.

“As we continue to rebuild our economy, we know that instilling the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship in young talent will reap enormous rewards not only for those who pursue an entrepreneurial dream, but for communities across our region,” he added.

All finalists in the national competition were winners in regional business plan events. The national grand-prize winner takes home $10,000, the runnerup $5,000 and third place $3,500.

Each competitor also filmed a 30-second elevator pitch video – a compressed business plan presentation in about the time it takes for an elevator ride – for a separate contest. The public can vote for the best pitch by visitingwww.elevatorpitch2010.com until Oct. 3. The winner receives $2,500.

Prize money is available to launch or expand businesses or for college tuition.

Related links: